NORTHUMBERLAND lost their Minor Counties play-off final against Cheshire in the first session of the penultimate day as they slipped to an innings and four runs defeat, writes JEFF BOWRON. Eastern division winners Northumberland were outplayed in every department and it was the fifth time in their long history that they have lost a Minor Counties final. The die was already cast when the home side began the third day at Jesmond 117 runs adrift of Cheshire who had scored a formidable 472-6 in their first innings. It took the visitors until the ninth over of the morning to make the breakthrough when Marc Symington fell for 14 to end a stand of 41 with former Durham team-mate Graeme Bridge, pictured below. The all-rounder fell to a sharp catch at second slip by Chris Bassano to give another former Derbyshire player, off spinner Nathan Dumelow, his ninth wicket of the game. Bridge, one of Northumberland's two professionals, then displayed some late resistance to record Northumberland's only half century of a one-sided encounter. Bridge struck nine fours and two sixes in the arc between mid-on and mid-wicket off Dumelow and Adam Sydall. But it was too little too late and when the Wearsider was bowled by Danny Woods for 58 it was unlikely Cheshire would have to bat again. Northumberland skipper Phil Nicholson, batting with a runner, and last man Matt Muchall, however, kept the visitors’ celebrations on hold with a partnership of 52 in 13 overs for the last wicket. But the new ball was taken after 90 overs and within three balls debutant Muchall was LBW to seamer Sydall for a stubborn 25 with the total on 292. Northumberland had batted for an hour and a half before Cheshire could finally be crowned the 2007 Minor Counties champions. At: Jesmond Overnight: Northumberland 2nd innings 179-7 Northumberland 2nd innings: MJ Symington ct Bassano b Dumelow 14, GD Bridge b Woods 58, PJ Nicholson not out 27, M.Muchall LBW b Sydall 25 Extras: 9 Total: 292 all out after 90.3 overs Fall: 8-220, 9-240 Bowling: AJ Sydall 19.3 4 74-2, CC Finegan 11 3 30-2, NRC Dumelow 34 12 94-3, DA Woods 26 8 86-3 Cheshire beat Northumberland by an innings and four runs | 
